You are well used to profound appraisals of Hoka One One foodstuffs over at this neck of the woods. When I firstly experienced the distinctive and debated marque it was all about all-out sole-pillow. Today it appears that Hoka One One reduces the sole tallness and transports even more dynamic into their collection of running shoes. The Tracer, Hokas elected Road Running Flat, emerges to be the turn to a very exiting expansion. Alongside the release of cross and track spikes, Hoka One One now tries satisfie even more Runners. Once I received the state-of-the-art Modell, the Hoka One One – Speed Instinct, I couldn’t wait to take it out. Not only the appearance, moreover the primary impression of this Trail Running shoe is somewhat else.
The Hoka One One – Speed Instinct is meant to be an agile shoe for steadfast off-road trips. Still growing, the busy trail running market is the target of this model. With a mere of 225 grams the Speed Instinct approaches interested runners with the Hoka trademark weightlessness.
Visually the web upper sticks out instantaneously. The smooth Air mesh upper is welded in a synthetic web and covers most of the shoe. For myself I like the design as it gives the shoe a distinctive and individual note. But there is not only a style factor inside the formation of this shoe. Though it looks noble it is also built to hold the hard-working feet in place whilst running. I liked the meek and enjoyable firmness that grips the feet in place whilst roaming past technical sections on the run. Still the toe shield does not really work as it should be and I experienced some slams whilst hitting rocks or woods.
The heel counter is very flexible and the collar is well padded.  Despite it’s flexibility, it offers great hold/support and is quite comfortable.
Alike the Tracer and the Clayton, Hoka uses their latest Pro2Lite midsole also within this shoe. I liked this sole in the other models and likewise with the Speed Instinct. The forgiving tail and the steadier front part of the sole is great with me. I like to run mid or forefoot so I like the straight sensation of this sole a lot. Still it is weird to have so much cushion with a shoe that bids so much dynamic and impulse to run fast.
A comparably widespread nonetheless shallow toe-box could be a potential difficulty for certain runners.
Though being a shoe that is meant to be used on un-paved undergrounds the performance on the road is great. The outsole is not too destructive on the legs, which delivers cosiness while wandering to or amongst off-road sections.
Quite the soul of each trail shoe – the outsole. For the Speed Instinct Hoka used a low profile, multi-directional tugs based design that do provides brilliant sense for the ground and faultless control. Most trail or off-trail units I ran with the shoe where great and joint with the soft sole the Speed Instinct performed to be a great and reliable companion. Although this altered when the underground got misty or very technical. As the lugs of the outsole are not very long the sole showed to loose grip here and there. A forceful sole design has its pros and cons. Not using lengthy lugs means that once the underground gets softer it ultimately loose grip. For me it was not a major problem during my daily running outings. The positive side is that the trip to the trail is smooth and without any hustle as sometimes spikey soles can be tough on the legs. 
The so-called Pro2Lite +10 EVA cushioning is used for the sole of the latest Speed Instinct. Eventually it supports fast and hasty off-road running.
The official product despricton states that this shoe comes with a rock-plate. I did not really experience a lot of protection while on rocky undergrounds. Some stones seem to find their way past the little red triangles. 
At the end – Some hard facts: Heel-to-Toe Offset: 3mm; 22mm (heel), 19mm (forefoot)
Hoka pooled the advantageous characters of their lightweight assortment into a top-class and exciting trail racing shoe. The Speed Instinct understands how to grip off-road streams with all obtainable types of speeds. The last couple of weeks I had tons of fun with this one as it combines the valuable Hoka qualities with a more prompter style. The low sole makes a lot of fun and the low to the ground gives you a lot of confidence when you hit the trails.